American comic book: I, with my abundant martial virtue, love to do good to others.

Lynn frowned slightly: "Such cold-blooded methods suggest the killer's objective is some kind of 'cleansing' rather than simple murder. These people are clearly not ordinary gamblers; they may be involved in some more complex underground transactions."

Mark led Lynn into a small alley behind the casino, a much quieter area than the bustling main street, with hardly anyone passing by. The streetlights were dim, scraps of paper and cigarette butts were scattered on the ground, and a musty smell filled the air. Lynn walked to the spot where the victim's body had been found, seeing police investigation markers and some scattered items.

"What clues did the police find?" Lynn asked in a low voice.

"The victim's name is Jack Harris. He's a gambler with a history of multiple criminal offenses. According to preliminary investigations, the victim had contact with some gangs behind the casino and is even suspected of participating in some illegal gambling games." Mark opened his notebook and continued, "However, the police have not found any concrete evidence, and the killer's whereabouts have not been confirmed."

Lynn crouched down, carefully examining the ground. His gaze swept across the surface, spotting a tiny trace. It was a drop of fresh blood, clearly out of place in its surroundings. Lynn reached out and touched it; the blood seemed to have just flowed, still damp.

"What does this mean?" Mark asked, puzzled.

Lynn didn't answer immediately, but continued examining the ground. Next to the bloodstains, he found an extremely faint mark—the imprint of a high heel. Though blurry, it was clearly a woman's shoe print. A flicker of doubt crossed Lynn's eyes: "The killer was a woman?"

Mark frowned. "This is strange. Women don't usually participate in such brutal killings. And judging from the bloodstains, the killer wasn't in a hurry to escape; they seemed quite confident in their actions."

“We can’t draw conclusions based on just this one clue.” Lynn stood up and looked around. “However, it is indeed an important clue. Perhaps we need to start from within the casino and investigate everyone who has connections with these gamblers, especially those who may be involved in underground gambling.”

Over the next few days, Lynn and Mark's investigation in Las Vegas deepened. They contacted casino management and questioned people who had been in contact with the victim. Meanwhile, Lynn continued to search for details that might have been overlooked. Although the killer's movements were elusive, every clue could potentially lead them to the truth.

Meanwhile, Kate was also providing Lynn with more background information remotely through her news channels. She found some intelligence about the Las Vegas underworld, which mentioned illegal activities related to gamblers that might be the driving force behind the murder.

"It seems this case is far more complex than we thought," Kate's voice came through the phone. "I've found some information indicating that there have been some gambling crimes in Las Vegas recently, and these cases all seem to be related to the 'Blood Hawk' gang."

Lynn's heart raced; he knew the name. The Bloodhawks were a notorious underground gambling and money laundering organization in the Las Vegas area, known for their highly secretive operations and extremely complex web of interests. "The Bloodhawks? They're very likely connected to the case we're investigating. Kate, keep an eye on this intelligence and see if you can find any more leads."

After several days of diligent investigation, Lynn finally obtained a crucial clue pointing to a core member of the Bloodhawk gang—a gambler named Kyle Hopkins. Kyle was a regular at the casino and a friend of one of the victims. Although he appeared to be a harmless gambler, he secretly maintained close ties with the gang.

"We've found our target, Kyle Hopkins," Lynn reported to Mark. "He's connected to all the victims and is likely a member of the Bloodhawk gang. We need to find him quickly and figure out his connection to these cases."

The two decided to raid Kyle Hopkins's apartment, hoping to find more clues about the case. However, when they arrived at Kyle's apartment, they found that Kyle had already disappeared, leaving only a note that read: "You'll never catch me."

A sense of unease rose in Lynn's heart; clearly, Kyle had already sensed their approach.

Lynn stood on the streets of Las Vegas, silently gazing at the casino buildings before him. His mind was filled with complex thoughts. Although the case had made some progress, no decisive clues had yet been found. The city itself was fraught with uncertainty: the massive gambling industry, the lurking gangs, and the violence hidden in the shadows—every step was fraught with danger. The killer's whereabouts were as elusive as a ghost; neither the police nor their investigative teams seemed to be truly closing in on the truth.

Lynn knew that only by delving deeper could he uncover the truth. And the only way to get close to the killer might be to become a gambler himself, thereby attracting the killer's attention. Although this method was extremely dangerous, he knew that only by getting involved in the gambling world and entering the inner workings of the casinos could he have a chance to truly contact the dark forces that controlled everything behind the scenes.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Mark stood beside him, his brow furrowed, clearly hesitant about Lynn's plan. "Given your status, is going to the casino and posing as a gambler really a wise decision? And you should know, the killer is aware of the police approaching. What if he becomes alert..."

“I know the risks,” Lynn calmly interrupted Mark, giving him a deep look. “But we don’t have many options right now. I need to use this method to contact the killer, to attract his attention. Only then can we lure him out. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it’s safe. Since he’s good at hiding himself, we have to deal with him in the same way.”

Mark hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay, it's your decision. But you must be careful not to put yourself in danger."

Lynn smiled slightly and patted Mark on the shoulder: "Don't worry, I will."

That evening, Lynn changed into ordinary clothes, completely transforming himself into a regular gambler. He carried no visible identification or police information. He was simply an ordinary man who walked into the opulent casino. In the casino's lobby, the luxurious decorations and dazzling lights were dazzling. The atmosphere was bustling and noisy, but Lynn's gaze remained calm and focused.

He began wandering aimlessly through the casino, passing by the tables several times, playing a few rounds casually, and tentatively striking up conversations with those around him. Every step he took was unhurried and composed, as if he were just an ordinary gambler without a purpose, blending into the bustling crowd. But in Lynn's mind, a meticulous system of observation and judgment had already been established. He observed every detail, every person's behavior, keenly capturing any unusual movement.

As night deepened, Lynn deliberately distanced himself from the usual gambling tables and activity areas, gradually heading towards a secluded alleyway outside the casino. This alleyway was very hidden, rarely used, and far from the casino's hustle and bustle; it led to the rear parking lot and staff entrance. Lynn circled around from the casino's main entrance to this alleyway, his eyes constantly alert, his steps light, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.

However, Lynn knew that such a move would attract the killer's attention. After all, he wasn't the only one familiar with the casino rules; the killer had likely already realized that someone like Lynn couldn't be just an ordinary gambler. This decisive moment was destined to determine success or failure.

Just as Lynn had anticipated, as he crossed the alley to the parking lot, he sensed something unusual behind him. The footsteps were light, yet incredibly precise, as if someone were quietly following him. Lynn feigned composure, continuing forward without hesitation until he reached a corner. There, he slowed his pace slightly, adjusted his breathing, and tried to attract the other person's attention with subtle movements.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, Lynn heard the familiar footsteps approaching. He knew the killer had finally made his move. Then, he heard the person's footsteps suddenly quicken, almost sprinting towards him. Lynn quickly turned around, leaning against the narrow wall, quietly waiting for the newcomer.

As expected, the killer couldn't hold back any longer and finally revealed his true colors. Just as Lynn was ready, the killer darted out of the shadows and pounced on him. Without hesitation, Lynn immediately countered, using his years of accumulated fighting skills to quickly force the killer back and deliver a precise counterattack that pinned him to the ground.

But the killer clearly wasn't planning on surrendering easily. He rolled over, quickly got to his feet, and, using his familiarity with the surroundings, swiftly disappeared from Lynn's sight, taking advantage of the dark corners and piles of debris in the parking lot. Lynn's heart tightened; he knew the killer had clearly come prepared, reacted extremely quickly, and was no ordinary violent criminal.

"They ran pretty fast," Lynn muttered to himself, quickly catching up without stopping. He circled around one side of the parking lot, searching for any possible traces. A few seconds later, he finally found a clue left by the killer in a corner—a fallen black glove, apparently dropped in his retreat.

Lynn bent down to pick up the glove, quickly analyzing the significance of this clue in his mind. Although the killer's escape prevented him from gathering more clues, at least this glove could provide them with some information. This was not only proof of the killer's identity, but also meant that the contest between him and Lynn had only just begun. Lynn did not rush to leave, but carefully searched the surrounding environment, trying to find more traces and track down the killer's escape route.

However, Lynn found no other obvious clues in the dark alley. He knew the killer was very alert and had clearly realized he was under police surveillance. Therefore, the next operation would be more complicated and dangerous.

"Looks like I need to be extra careful," Lynn muttered to himself, deciding to return to the casino as soon as possible to organize the clues he had and formulate his next course of action.

Lynn stood in the casino parking lot, recalling the chase. He knew the killer's swift escape was no accident; the case was far more complex than they had imagined. The killer was not only cold-blooded and decisive but also adept at using the environment to escape. This experience made Lynn realize that the killer was clearly not an ordinary violent criminal. Lynn scanned his surroundings, filled with unease. The underground forces behind the casino had already infiltrated every corner of society, and the truth he and Mark were pursuing might involve a much larger network.

After leaving the casino, Lynn decided to delve deeper into the Las Vegas underworld. Although the police and his own team were doing their utmost, the city's gangs were extremely complex, and any direct conflict could trigger a larger wave of violence. Moreover, while the victims were all gamblers, their deaths were not necessarily due to personal grudges, but rather more likely stemmed from far more intricate conflicts of interest.

Lynn decided to proactively contact the local gangs in Las Vegas, hoping to obtain more clues about the case through them. Although this method was extremely dangerous, he knew that the gangs behind the casinos would not kill the gamblers; in fact, they would prefer to see the gamblers lose more money to protect their own interests.

He first approached Henry Coleman, a notorious underground casino owner and a well-known figure in Las Vegas's underworld with long-standing ties to casinos. Lynn had heard of Henry; almost no one in the area dared to cross him. His casino was one of the most influential illegal casinos in the area, and Henry himself not only had deep connections with certain members of the underworld but was even suspected of having links to several international criminal organizations.

"You're looking for Henry?" A local intelligence officer looked at Lynn with a hint of wariness in his voice. "Do you know who he is? He's not someone to be trifled with here."

Lynn nodded slightly. "I know who he is. I've heard he has a lot of business dealings between casinos and gangs. I'm not here to cause trouble, I just want to know a few things."

The intelligence officer frowned. "Things aren't as simple as you think. You'd better be careful. Henry won't see you easily unless you have something to offer in exchange for his attention."

Lynn looked at the intelligence officer, knowing he was warning him against rash actions. He said in a low voice, "I don't intend to confront Henry directly. I just want to understand some recent events, especially those related to the gambler's death."

"Henry may not know the things you're talking about, but he definitely has information channels and can find out some things." The intelligence officer nodded. "However, if you want to contact Henry, you'd better be prepared to pay the price. Without sufficient 'sincerity,' he won't pay any attention to you."

Lynn had a sudden realization: he couldn't rely solely on the police to advance this matter; he needed to find a suitable way to contact Henry. Therefore, he decided to take a more covert approach, gathering information through peripheral channels rather than directly exposing himself. A few days later, Lynn contacted Henry through a local intermediary. (End of Chapter)